SloanEstate Red 2018

We revisited Sloan on Tuesday to taste their 2020 vintage in barrel along with their newest 2018 releases. This 2018 is comprised of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller proportions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. It displays “a deep, vibrant garnet-purple color. Baked plums, blackberry pie, crème de cassis and toasty oak notes leap from the glass, followed by hints of tilled soil, Indian spices, mocha, and crushed rocks. Big, full-bodied, opulent, and velvety, it has a solid structure and a very long, seductively spicy finish.” Their 13-acre estate vineyard in Rutherford's eastern hillside above Auberge du Soleil was planted in 1997 by David Abreu and their inaugural vintage was 2001. The elevation there ranges from 875 to 995 feet and the vineyard is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and approximately 2% Petit Verdot and 8% Cabernet Franc. It is a spectacular property with a full range of exposures for the fruit to thrive. Since their first vintage, Sloan continues to be made by Martha McClellan, consulting winemaker Michel Rolland and David Abreu's vineyard team.